FEARS were raised over the future of two Bridport schools in the latest public meeting about the Vearse Farm development.

Several members of the public voiced their objection to the 760-home development at a meeting of Symondsbury Parish Council.

Andy Birch, from developers Hallam Land Management, attended the meeting along with engineer Paul Boileau of Brookbanks Consulting for the development, to respond to residents’ concerns and queries about the plans.

Philip Colfox, owner of Symondsbury Estate, urged the developers to encourage prospective students to attend Symondsbury Primary School rather than building a new one.

Mr Birch said: “760 homes equates to a one form entry school, so that’s what we are going to provide on site.

“The possible closure of St Mary’s School formed part of the Local Plan, and as for Symondsbury School, the decision isn’t necessarily ours.

“We are led by the education department and their thinking has been unclear for the last 18 months to two years.”

Other concerns were raised by residents including butcher Richard Balson, and Barry Bates, Tony Lambert and Richard Freer of AdVearse, a residents’ group opposed to the development.

These included worries about increased traffic, affordability of housing and the risks of pressure on infrastructure.

Mr Boileau said: “Proposed improvements to the highway network include two new priority junctions off West Road so that if there is an accident it will allow another route.

“We have developed a number of schemes for the Miles Cross junction, and there are proposals to put a roundabout on there and another with signals, which will bring significant improvements in safety.

“There will also be minor modifications to the mini roundabout at the junction in West Allington.”

Mr Birch also presented results from a consultation conducted at a previous public meeting about Vearse Farm, in which 90 per cent of people were aware of an affordable housing shortage in the area.

He added: “Fifty percent supported the design principles, but that means 50 percent aren’t happy and we need to look at that.”